NBA Picks & Predictions

The hazardous management of several possessions at the end of the game cost the victory to the Philly 76ers in the money-time of the game. Quickly friends, we're flirting with scandal for Philly in this match 2. We're going to dive back into the atmosphere at the end of the match. There are 40 seconds left to play, 96-101 in favor of the 76ers, possession in the hands of J.Brusnon. At this point, Philly is pretty good. But it is even better after the latter's loss of the ball, Lowry throws himself, but loses the ball again. With a lot of luck Brunson scored a 3 point 99-101. Possession for the 76ers, 30 seconds to play. The moment chosen by Nick Nurse's men to screw up this possession, give the ball back to the Knicks, and allow DiVincenzo to crucify the Philly 76ers 102-101. Behind Maxey took the ball but Hartenstein blocked it. NY will quietly win 104-101. How sad for the 76ers who find themselves down 2-0 in this series. Opposite, we are close to perfection in favor of the NY Knicks. Indeed, the 2nd in the Eastern Conference assumed its rank in front of the formidable formation of the Philly 76ers. Because Philly as a reminder is a “false 7th conference”. 2nd precisely at the time of J. Embiid's injury, it was precisely his absence which caused the fall of the 76ers. The boy has been back for a few weeks now, Philly had nothing to do in 7th place, like the 7 consecutive successes upon his return to the group. But yet, deprived of J.Randle, NY won twice. The 1st at the end of a coherent score 111-104 and the second in a totally crazy end to the match 104-101.

And even if it were to eat a 4-0 in this play-off series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Orlando Magic season will not have been missed. Indeed, they are perhaps the only team that can eat a sweep without it causing a cascade of departures. In reality, Orlando does not have the weapons this year to take 5th place in the Eastern Conference. New to the field, this young team enjoyed a breathtaking first part of the season. Led 2-0 by the Cleveland Cavaliers, we must keep in mind the young age of the leaders of this franchise. This is Banchero's 2nd year in the NBA, his sidekick F.Wagner's 3rd. Their learning will take a little more time, that's logical. Orlando is trailing 2-0 in this series. Cleveland, for its part, has already taken a good chance of qualifying for the Eastern Conference semi-finals, probably against the Boston Celtics. After a game 1 with a defensive flavor 97-83, Forrest City did not change its mind on the contrary. There isn't much to say about the match itself. Cleveland mastered his opponent of the day like a little child on a merry-go-round. 44-31 in the 2nd quarter, and a gap that will hardly budge. 60-44 from the start of the 3rd, 69-87 in the 3rd, and no reaction from the Magic for a 2nd consecutive loss 96-86. Cleveland leads 2-0 in this series, the minimum objective is to seek success in games 3 or 4, in order to give themselves a chance to conclude the series in 5 in Ohio.